Giving up Faith for Lent?

At Mass this morning, I was mindful of two things as the priest talked about the significance of ashes.  First, as a faith community we prepare our Catholic children to strengthen the fabric of who they are in the Catholic faith.  If we do our job as parents (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2228), after our service here on earth has ended and we return to the Lord, their Catholic identity is the well of hope and joy throughout the remainder of their lives and into eternity (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 33).  Second, I am keenly aware there is a very real force that is active, strong, relentless and with designs to undercut everything that we believe and is in possession of the purpose to quash the essence of our identity as practicing Catholics (Cardinal Dolan to Bishops, 2012; Freedom of Speech and Religion Under Attack, 2011; Huelskamp, T., 2012; Hardball Matthews on Conflict Between Church and State, 2012).


Giving up faith for Lent?  If our government has its way, I think it would prefer I did.  For example, it would not have to contend with a commitment to grow in faith and serve my Lord in the public arena (Faithful Citizenship).  Moreover, it most certainly would prefer I not object to its infringement on religious freedom and allow it to intrude in the sacred space of conscience, where one's identity in relationship to God is framed and acted upon.

The significance of Lent goes far beyond giving up chocolate, soda, Twitter or a Saturday matinee.  The significance of this particular season of Lent is more important than in any time past (Moment by Moment, Listening for the Lord).  Our devotion to what we can learn from Lent must be made stronger in our hearts and within our homes (domestic church).  

Today, we yielded to the priest and allowed ourselves by free will and consent to be marked by ashes as a symbol of our awareness that life is brief (Ash Wednesday).  In that gesture, we also proclaimed our commitment to turn away from sin.  However, in turning away from sin, we turn toward God.  And by turning toward God, we have a responsibility to a relationship that is responsive and public.  Just as I cannot deny the public practice of fatherhood in my relationship to my daughters, I cannot deny the public practice of faith in my relationship to the Lord.

Also, in this particular season of Lent, I am aware there are trials and temptations coming (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2847).  The trials and temptations will be greater than in times past; some may lead to both practical and spiritual suffering.  One does not have to look far to see the decline in society.  Moreover, it is not difficult to see the effort put forth to capture and constrain our Catholic identity (Revision of HHS mandate ignores religious liberty concerns, say bishops, 2012).  It appears to me, continue on this course, we inevitably are headed down a path that leads to religious intolerance we thought common abroad (Rome Reports, Lists of countries who threat religious freedom, 2011; World Watch List 2011).

The essence of Lent can be found in baptism and what comes to mind is the significance of the vows associated with our baptism.  Never before have our vows meant so much.  Yes, this morning's Mass was quite different.  Given the circumstance in our culture, I have no intention of giving up my faith for Lent.  The most important thing I can give up is passivity and not yield to its temptation, especially as our bishops (Bishops Vow to Fight HHS Edict, 2012), priests (Priest for Life: Call to Action, 2012) and brothers and sisters everywhere (Stop HHS Mandate, 2012) take up the commitment to defend the faith (The New Evangelization).

As a Catholic parent, I have a job to do and that is to educate and empower my children to live their faith and participate in the Church's mission (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2246).  Moreover, I have a responsibility to my community (Vatican calls for more lay participation in politics, 2010).  During this season of Lent, I pray the good Lord will provide the insight and strength needed for a steadfast commitment to fight the good fight.  During this season of Lent, what is your prayer?  What will you give up?




Conservative Political Action Conference:
Panel on Faith in Politics (Jordan Sekulow, 2012)




Religious Liberty: Obamacare's
First Casualty (Heritage Foundation, 2012)


Rev. 03.13.2012
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Awake, my soul!




"Awake, my soul; awake, lyre and harp!  I will wake the dawn.  I will praise you among the peoples, Lord; I will chant your praise among the nations.  For your mercy towers to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.  Exalt yourself over the heavens, God; may your glory appear above all the earth." - Psalm 57: 9-12

Faith formation is job #1

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Sisters of Life






Faith formation is job #1


O Come, O Come Emmanuel




And Winter Came: Enya
MP3 Download: Amazon.com


Life matters. Pray it forward.





Every generation has the task of engaging anew in the arduous search for the right way to order human affairs.  For Christians, this task is motivated by the hope drawn from the saving work of Jesus Christ. - Pope Benedict XVI's Address to the United Nations (April 18, 2008)

Resources: Human Rights


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One Message. One Purpose. One People.




But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins - he said to the one who was paralyzed, "I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home."

He stood up immediately before them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God.  Then astonishment seized them all and they glorified God, and, struck with awe, they said, "We have seen incredible things today." - Luke 5:24-26


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Fishers of men!



"He said to them, 'Come after me,
and I will make you fishers of men.'"


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Be watchful! Be alert!






Our culture promotes multitasking as a virtue, yet we see time and again, it does not produce the best outcome (Stanford Report, 2009).  In fact, living habitually in this fashion trains us to miss what is important.  In areas where we multitask, over the long-term, we fail to meet the goals that are meaningful.  For example, if we are distracted from important relationships, the depth of our love does not come to fruition (P. Mango, 2001).  Most assuredly, our children miss opportunities to know how much they mean to us (S. Sells, 2008).  Similarly, when we divide our attention, it is impossible to sincerely watch for our Lord and understand from scripture, fellowship and prayer all there is to learn (EWTN: Global Catholic Network).

As parents, the call to be equipped to teach our children (Catechism) has long lasting implications. Yet, the significance of our role as guides for our children can only come from a heart that is still (S. Chapman, 2007), attentive and self-reflective to identify the path to better parenting and fellowship with Christ.

Our Lord's message is simple:  "Jesus said to his disciples: 'Be watchful!  Be alert!  You do not know when the time will come'" (Mark 13:33).  In his message, I hear: Seek after the Lord.  Pay attention. Love deeply.  Know and teach your children, for there will come a time when I will call you to myself.  The gift you leave for family and friends, is a witness to the hope that is within (1 Peter 3:15).

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7 Sacraments Revised to Include Holy Macaroni

I used to think my daughters' first words were absolutely awesome!  But now I'm thinking, that was a preview of coming attractions.

On the way home from school, which can be some of our funniest moments in the day, my daughters were enjoying some books purchased from our local Pauline bookstore.  As they fluttered from one book to the other, they both landed on The 7 Sacraments coloring and activity book, to which my oldest (age seven) began to recount what she is learning in school, soon followed by her sister (age five).  As I enjoyed watching them in my rear view mirror, sharing what they know, it wasn't long before they each tried to recall the Sacraments in order.  My oldest, started out with the Sacrament of Baptism.  She was doing pretty good and then the laughter began to mount as she struggled with "An-o-t...", "Anno...", "Ant-ooo...", "Anno-e....Annoying...of the Sick?!"


"Annoying of the sick?!" I busted out laughing.  Well, that was entertaining to both of them, so she continued and my youngest, parroted  her sister and stumbled at the end with, "Holy Macaroni?!"

By the time we got home, we were all chatting and laughing about Annoying of the Sick and Holy Macaroni.


Learning about our faith is a lot of fun and a challenge to translate it into a message that is Catholic for Kids; but in doing so, I am reminded of the simplicity of God's message, something our children need to hear and as parents, we need to be reminded about.

As we discover and re-discover our story in the Catholic faith, I can't wait to hear in what other ways they will help me to have a greater appreciation for the God of Wonders, as I try to learn more by taking their questions and observations and making them part of my challenge to find creative ways in our daily living to bolster the formation of our faith, to empower us to do God's work.

In keeping with our new understanding of The 7 Sacraments, I hope you will enjoy Marie's Macaroni and Cheese, renamed in our home as, Holy Macaroni.

Have a blessed day, as a parent, in finding your path to God's service to share his love with your children and neighbors.
   

     

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A Vocation to Life







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